Before the Coffee Gets Cold

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Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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 Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Time Travel with a Cup of Coffee and Heartfelt
Encounters
Written by Bookey
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About the book
In a little, tucked-away café in Tokyo, there's a legend that
says if you sit in a particular seat and have your coffee poured
just right, you can travel back in time—but only until the
coffee gets cold. In "Before the Coffee Gets Cold," Toshikazu
Kawaguchi weaves a poignant, enchanting tale about four
visitors who seek to make peace with their pasts, correct
long-held regrets, and reconnect with lost loved ones. Yet,
with strict rules governing their journeys, they must confront
the realities of their lives and the fleeting nature of time itself.
As the aroma of fresh coffee mingles with the bittersweet
essence of human connections, this unique narrative invites
readers to reflect on their own moments worth revisiting,
promising that even the smallest cup can hold a universe of
emotions.

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About the author
Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a distinguished Japanese playwright
and author known for his emotionally evocative storytelling
and keen insight into the human condition. Born in Osaka,
Japan, Kawaguchi began his career in the arts as a playwright
and producer with the theatrical group Sonic Snail. He gained
widespread acclaim with his debut novel, "Before the Coffee
Gets Cold," originally written as a stage play, which
poignantly explores themes of time, love, and regret within the
unique setting of a Tokyo café. Kawaguchi's work stands out
for its delicate blend of poignant moments and fantastical
elements, making him a significant contemporary voice in
Japanese literature.

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Summary Content List
Chapter 1 : The Enigmatic Café - A Place Where Time

Warps

Chapter 2 : First Story - The Woman Who Wants to Confront

Her Ex-Lover

Chapter 3 : Second Story - The Woman Who Hopes to Help

Her Husband

Chapter 4 : Third Story - The Woman Seeking Closure with

Her Sister

Chapter 5 : Fourth Story - The Expecting Mother Wishing to

Meet the Child

Chapter 6 : The Heart of the Café - The Impact on Regulars

and Staff

Chapter 7 : Reflections and Repercussions - The Subtle Art

of Moving On

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Chapter 1 : The Enigmatic Café - A
Place Where Time Warps
In a quaint little back alley in Tokyo, there exists a
mysterious café named Funiculi Funicula. Despite its
seemingly ordinary appearance, this café offers an
extraordinary service—an opportunity to travel back in time.
The café is enveloped in an almost otherworldly aura,
wherein the air is thick with the scent of freshly brewed
coffee and whispers of countless untold stories. The unique
setting invites curiosity and the yearning for second chances,
yet not without a set of immutable and somewhat stringent
rules that governs the act of time travel.

Time travel within the café comes with specific limitations to

ensure the fabric of reality is not tampered with recklessly.
First, the person who wishes to travel back in time must sit in
a particular, ever-occupied seat. Second, they can only meet
people who have visited the café. Their meeting will not alter
the present reality outside the café, as nothing they do in the
past will change the current timeline. Moreover, the travelers
have a constrained window of time, determined by the
cooling of the coffee in their cup—they must return to the

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present before the coffee gets cold, or else face grave
consequences. These rules lend both a bittersweet and
pressing urgency to the ethereal journey.

The café is frequented by an ensemble of regulars and

overseen by staff who themselves are touched by the
enigmatic charm of the place. Among the regulars is Kei, a
compassionate woman with her own burdens to bear, and
Nagare, the café’s taciturn owner who has witnessed
countless souls tethered to their pasts. Their intertwined lives
are subtly changed and enriched by the myriad stories that
unfold within the walls of the café.

The enigmatic premise and the complex, interwoven lives of

the characters create a profound setting, encouraging one to
rethink the nature of time and memory. In this carefully
curated ambiance, where the past and present coexist
momentarily over a cup of coffee, patrons are prepared to
confront their deepest emotions and unresolved conflicts,
albeit briefly, before the coffee gets cold.

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Chapter 2 : First Story - The Woman
Who Wants to Confront Her Ex-Lover
The first story centers around Fumiko, a young woman who
feels haunted by the abrupt end of her relationship with her
ex-lover, Goro. Fumiko is a successful career woman who
thrives in her professional life but faces a void in her
personal life after Goro leaves her to pursue a job
opportunity in America. Devastated by the sudden departure,
she is tormented by the thought that she might have
prevented his leaving had she expressed her true feelings.

Hearing rumors about the mysterious café that offers its

patrons a chance to travel back in time, Fumiko sees this as a
unique opportunity to confront Goro and potentially change
the course of their relationship. When she first enters the
café, she is skeptical and apprehensive but remains hopeful
and determined. The café’s atmosphere is warm and
melancholic, filled with the scent of coffee lingering in the
air. The owner, an enigmatic and kind-hearted woman named
Kazu, explains the stringent rules of time travel: one can only
travel to a point in time when they were present in the café,
they must return before the coffee gets cold, and no matter

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what they do, the present will remain unchanged.

Despite the limitations, Fumiko decides to proceed. She is

led to a particular seat, only occupied by a ghostly figure
momentarily vacating it. Once settled, Fumiko is transported
to the day Goro had visited the café for the last time before
his departure. As she sits across from him, she struggles to
articulate her emotions. She sees the moment replaying
itself—the missed signals, the words left unsaid, the mistakes
and misunderstandings. This chance to revisit the
conversation offers her an incredible perspective: she
understands now the genuine reasons for Goro’s decision and
gains insight into his feelings.

Though the rules dictate that she cannot alter the present,
Fumiko takes solace in expressing her emotions truthfully
this time. She tells Goro how much she loves him, how his
departure has affected her, and that she supports his career
aspirations despite her own heartache. Goro, surprised but
moved, acknowledges her feelings, providing them both a
sense of closure they hadn't experienced the first time
around.

When Fumiko returns to the present before her coffee gets

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cold, she realizes that the journey, while it did not change her
current reality, has profoundly impacted her emotionally. She
no longer harbors the regret and confusion that had clouded
her heart. Instead, she emerges with a sense of peace and
acceptance, enabling her to move forward with her life.
Fumiko’s experience highlights the café’s essence: even
though the past cannot change, understanding it more deeply
can bring closure and help individuals grow.

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Chapter 3 : Second Story - The Woman
Who Hopes to Help Her Husband
The Second Story - The Woman Who Hopes to Help Her
Husband

The next poignant tale centers around a woman named

Fumiko Kiyokawa, who frequents the café and harbors a
deep-seated worry about her husband, Goro. Fumiko is
portrayed as a dedicated wife who is struggling to come to
terms with Goro's medical condition—a form of dementia
that has begun to slowly erode his memories and their shared
life together. Faced with this heart-wrenching situation, she
grapples with feelings of helplessness, fearing the growing
distance between them as his condition worsens.

Fumiko arrives at the café with a heavy heart, compelled by

the hope that she might travel back in time to help her
husband in some way. She yearns for a method to slow the
relentless march of his illness or perhaps even to find a cure.
The steadfast barista explains the rules of time travel once
again—the traveller cannot change the present, they must
remain in the café, and they have only until their coffee gets

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cold. Despite knowing the limitations, Fumiko decides to
proceed, clinging to the belief that even a brief moment
might provide some form of solace.

Fumiko chooses a day from years ago, a time when Goro was
in the prime of his life, all smiles and energy. Upon returning
to this cherished past, she finds Goro seated at their favorite
table, his face lighting up as he sees her. The juxtaposition of
this vibrant version of her husband against the frailty of his
current state fills Fumiko with a mix of joy and sorrow. She
seizes the opportunity to relive their happier moments and to
remind Goro of the boundless love they share.

Through their conversation, Fumiko subtly tries to impart

advice to Goro about maintaining his health, albeit cloaked in
the guise of casual remarks. She smiles through the tears,
knowing deep down that she cannot alter the course of his
illness. Instead, she focuses on the present—a present gifted
to her by this unique café—reaffirming her commitment to
cherish whatever time they have left.

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Chapter 4 : Third Story - The Woman
Seeking Closure with Her Sister
The third story in "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" centers on a
woman whose pressing desire is to seek closure with her
estranged sister. As she steps into the peculiar café, the air
filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, her mind is a
whirlwind of emotions—guilt, regret, and a faint glimmer of
hope.

The patron in question is Kumi, a woman in her late thirties,

who hasn't spoken to her sister, Fumiko, in over six years.
Their last encounter ended in a heated argument, and despite
countless attempts at reaching out, the chasm between them
only deepened with silence and the passage of time. Kumi's
longing to mend this fractured bond drives her to the café,
where she nervously clutches the cup of coffee that enables
her to travel back and perhaps make amends.

As she takes the plunge into the past, Kumi finds herself six
years younger, on the day of the fateful argument. The
familiar yet distant figure of Fumiko stands before her, a
reflection of the lost time between them. Kumi hesitates but

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soon finds her voice, approaching her sister not with anger,
but with vulnerability. She opens up about her own failings,
her stubbornness, and her deep-seated desire to be a better
sister.

The confrontation is raw and laden with suppressed

emotions. Both women lay bare their hearts, revealing the
hurt and misunderstandings that have festered over the years.
Through this heartfelt exchange, they begin to peel back
layers of resentment, uncovering the love and shared
memories that had always tied them together.

Time in the café passes quickly, and as the coffee cools,

Kumi must soon return to the present. With only moments
left, she reaches out and holds Fumiko in a tight embrace,
whispering an apology and a promise to do better. The
atmosphere in the café shifts, imbued with a sense of fragile
hope.

Back in the present, Kumi's journey does not erase the years
of separation, but it grants her the strength to reach out to
Fumiko once more, armed with an understanding and
compassion previously absent. Tentatively, she sends a letter,
pouring out her heart and recounting the time they shared in

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the café's temporal haven.

The resolution comes not from an immediate reunion, but

from the small but significant steps they both take towards
reconciliation. In the weeks that follow, Kumi and Fumiko
begin to rebuild their relationship piece by piece, each fragile
conversation a testament to their resilience and a testament to
the unbreakable bond of sisterhood.

Through her time-travel encounter, Kumi undergoes

emotional growth, learning that forgiveness is a two-way
street paved with honesty and empathy. This story reflects
the complex fabric of family ties—woven with moments of
pain, yet resilient with the threads of love and forgiveness.

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Chapter 5 : Fourth Story - The
Expecting Mother Wishing to Meet the
Child
The fourth story in "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" focuses on
a young, expecting mother named Kei, who is filled with a
whirlwind of emotions as she grapples with the future birth
of her child. Her life is marked by a deep sense of
anticipation, uncertainty, and a craving to connect with her
unborn child in a way that defies the constraints of time.

Kei is introduced sitting at the enigmatic café, her hands

resting gently on her stomach, feeling the baby's movements
and wondering about the future. She is a warm, tenderhearted
woman, whose pregnancy brings both joy and apprehension.
Her husband, Nagare, who also happens to be the manager of
the café, supports her unwaveringly, yet cannot fully
alleviate her fears. The couple's dream of becoming parents
is both beautiful and daunting, with Kei's fears about the
health and future of their unborn child casting shadows on
their joy.

Driven by an overwhelming desire to meet her child and gain

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assurance of their future, Kei decides to utilize the café’s
unique ability to travel through time. However, the rules of
the café permit her to only meet people who have previously
visited the café, adding another layer of complexity to her
wish. Nevertheless, Kei's determination is unfaltering.

As she steps into the time-worn seat, Kei is transported into

the future moment where she hopes to meet her child. The
scene is both magical and poignant, as she finds herself in the
café years ahead, encountering a vivacious and healthy girl,
her future daughter. This meeting, though brief and tinged
with the bittersweet realization that she can only stay until
the coffee gets cold, serves as a profound affirmation for Kei.
The tangible presence of her daughter reassures her, silencing
her fears, and filling her with a renewed sense of hope and
purpose.

The precious few moments Kei spends with her daughter are
filled with tender exchanges and unspoken promises. She
learns about the person her daughter is becoming,
recognizing her strengths and loving quirks. Even in this
brief encounter, Kei's maternal instincts to nurture and
protect are profoundly validated.

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When Kei returns to the present, she is flushed with a myriad
of emotions. The experience imprints on her heart deeply,
transforming her fears into a wellspring of hope and courage.
Despite the limitations and bittersweet nature of her visit, the
glimpse into the future provided her with a profound
reassurance. She is now equipped with the strength and
positivity she needs to embrace motherhood, ready to face
whatever challenges may come with the resilient love she
feels for her child.

The story of Kei, the expecting mother, echoes themes of

maternal love, the natural anxieties that accompany the
journey of parenthood, and the miraculous connection that
can transcend even the bounds of time. Her experience
epitomizes the intricate blend of love and fear that defines
many aspects of human existence, beautifully showcasing the
transformative power of fleeting, yet deeply significant
moments.

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Chapter 6 : The Heart of the Café - The
Impact on Regulars and Staff
The Heart of the Café - The Impact on Regulars and Staff

The enigmatic café, with its time-warping capability,

becomes more than just a locale for occasional patrons
seeking temporal solace. It also profoundly influences the
regulars and the staff who, day in and day out, witness the
extraordinary journeys undertaken by those seeking to
reconnect with the past. As these time-bound narrative
threads intertwine, they weave a deeper tapestry of
interconnected fates and mutual growth, leaving a lasting
impact on the lives interlinked by this singular establishment.

Kazu Tokita, the stoic and enigmatic waitress, was initially

perceived as nothing more than a silent overseer of the café's
rituals. Her demeanor, though seemingly detached, quietly
absorbs the emotional torrents of the patrons. It is through
these repeated encounters that she begins to see the
immutable value of human connection. Each poignant story
reaffirms her latent belief in the power of unspoken emotions
and the significance of unresolved relationships. The

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transformation is subtle but profound, as Kazu becomes more
empathetic and attuned to her own hidden desires and
unhealed wounds.

Nagare, the café’s owner, who outwardly appears to be

engrossed solely in the operational necessities of running the
café, undergoes his own subtle metamorphosis. Nagare
witnesses firsthand how a cup of coffee and the ability to
revisit crucial moments become pivotal in altering his
patrons’ lives. He sees reflections of his own past regrets and
unrealized dreams in their stories, gradually allowing himself
to grapple with his own history. His growing connection with
the clientele and his evolving understanding of the café’s real
magic lead him to a place of quiet acceptance and emotional
resilience.

Among the regulars, Hirai, a once unrepentant

businesswoman engrossed in her own pursuits, finds her life
irrevocably reshaped by the café's influence. Her initial
cynicism softens as she observes the gamut of emotions
played out within the café's intimate confines. The stories of
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reevaluate her own life choices and priorities. Hirai’s
interactions with the patrons not only facilitate her own

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Chapter 7 : Reflections and
Repercussions - The Subtle Art of
Moving On
As each customer's story unfolds, the smaller narrative
threads weave into the larger tapestry of human experience,
bound by the delicate essence of time and memory. The
café's unique ability to allow patrons to revisit the past and
receive glimpses into the future ultimately underscores the
fragility and preciousness of these moments. Each journey,
framed within the fleeting time it takes for a cup of coffee to
cool, serves as a microcosm of life's ephemeral beauty and
the inherent transience of human connections.

The woman confronting her ex-lover, driven by yearning to

understand what went wrong, finds solace not in changing
the past but in acquiescing to the truth. Her story becomes a
catalyst for reflection on the importance of facing the raw,
unvarnished reality of our experiences, rather than clinging to
romanticized versions of what could have been.

In the second tale, the woman seeking to aid her troubled

husband learns a different, yet equally profound lesson. Time

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travel offers her the rare opportunity to gain insight into his
struggles, revealing the depth of his unspoken burdens. Her
journey accentuates the theme of empathy and the necessity
of truly understanding the hidden battles faced by those we
love, leading to a renewed commitment to supporting one
another in the present moment.

The third story delves into the complexities of family ties and
long-held grievances, as a woman ventures back to reconcile
with her estranged sister. Through this emotional excursion,
the narrative confronts the difficulty of forgiveness and the
liberation found in letting go of past resentments. It
poignantly illustrates that the paths to healing and
reconnection often lie in revisiting painful memories with an
open heart.

In the fourth narrative, the expecting mother’s quest to meet

her future child blends both wistful yearning and burgeoning
hope. Her ephemeral encounter not only embodies the depth
of maternal affection but also highlights the inherent
uncertainties and boundless possibilities of the future. Her
story is a testament to the courage required to embrace what
lies ahead, irrespective of the unknown.

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The culmination of these individual tales in "Before the
Coffee Gets Cold" brings forth the intricate interplay
between regret and reconciliation. Each character's journey
through time invites introspection on the profound effect of
their choices and memories, illuminating the larger theme of
accepting the present as it is. Through their experiences, the
book tenderly insists on the importance of moving forward,
drawing strength from the past without being ensnared by it.

In essence, the novel's central message resonates with a

universal truth: while the desire to change the past is an
intrinsic facet of the human condition, true peace stems from
understanding and accepting our histories. The power lies not
in altering what has been but in finding meaning and growth
within those immutable moments. The café, with its
enigmatic charm, serves as a poignant reminder that time,
like coffee, must be savored in the here and now, lest it
grows cold and its flavors fade away.

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